Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, where an exhaust gas recirculation path with a valve is provided between said intake and exhaust manifold, and the engine has a turbocharger; the method comprising during at least one decreased engine output condition, increasing opening of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and adjusting exhaust expansion through a turbine of the turbocharger to decrease expansion through the turbocharger and thereby reduce a likelihood of turbocharger surge.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided with a vehicle body, a first door, and a second door. The vehicle body has front and rear ends with a door opening formed through a lateral side of the vehicle body. The door opening allows passenger ingress and egress to and from an interior of the vehicle. The first door is pivotally connected to the vehicle body at an upper region of the door opening for partially enclosing an upper portion of the door opening. The second door is pivotally connected to the vehicle body at a lower region of the door opening for enclosing a lower portion of the door opening. The first and second doors cooperate to collectively enclose the door opening.

Abstract: A control system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a GPS system (16) that generates a vehicle position for a vehicle relative to a surface, a plurality of driver inputs (40), and a plurality of vehicle inputs (50). A controller (14) is coupled to the GPS system (16), the driver inputs (40) and the vehicle inputs (50). The controller determines a predicted path in response to the plurality of driver inputs and the vehicle inputs and a desired path in response to the GPS system (16). The controller performs a comparison of the predicted path and the desired path and generates a control signal in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A smart airbag (14) is monitored by a vehicle restraint control module (24) and includes a state sensor (42) that generates an airbag state signal. A smart airbag fault circuit (40) is coupled to the state sensor (42) and includes multiple state devices (50). Each of the state devices (50) has a characteristic that is indicative of the state of the smart airbag (14). The state devices (50) are configured to be monitored by the vehicle restraint control module (24). A smart airbag state monitor (44) is separate from the vehicle restraint control module (24), is coupled to the state devices (50), and alters the state in response to the airbag state signal.

Abstract: A powered lift gate for an automotive vehicle includes a lift gate door hinged to a vehicle body. A motor system which opens and closes the door is operated by a controller coupled to a primary obstacle detection system which senses operation of the motor itself, and by a secondary detection system which directly senses an object interposed between a margin of the door and the door opening panel. A pinch protection member interposed between a marginal zone of the door and the door opening panel includes a resilient element having sufficient strength to support an object positioned between the door and the door opening panel such that the primary obstacle detection system will be triggered when the door and motor develop a predetermined compressive force upon the object. The predetermined compressive force is selected to allow normal operation of the lift gate, without subjecting an obstructing object to excessive crushing force.

Abstract: A method for improving engine intake manifold pressure control of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the manifold pressure may be controlled to reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to during the start of an internal combustion engine. Valves that may be deactivated are controlled in a manner to reduce hydrocarbon emissions during the start of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A safety system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes multiple collision detection sensors (14), such as discretized patch sensors. The collision detection sensors (14) are coupled to a peripheral area (18) of the vehicle (12) and generate a collision detection signal (17). A controller (16) is coupled to the sensors (14) and determines collision type in response to the collision detection signal (17). The controller (16) performs a countermeasure in response to the collision type. The controller (16) may include a collision location estimator (22) for determining collision severity and collision contact location on the vehicle (12) and a coordinated device activation system (24) for performing the countermeasure.

Abstract: A method to determine and control engine torque in an internal combustion engine. The method may significantly reduce torque strategy calculations and the calibration complexity.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar assembly for a vehicle suspension system is disclosed. The stabilizer bar assembly has a stabilizer bar that is provided with an annular ring. The annular ring is either formed as an upset or assembled to the stabilizer bar. A bushing having a groove on its inner diameter is assembled to the stabilizer bar at the annular ring that centers the stabilizer bar against transverse displacement. A second bushing is secured to the stabilizer bar at a location spaced from the annular ring. The first and second bushings secure the stabilizer bar to right and left frame rails. The annular ring may have a square, tapered or spherical cross-section.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a humidity sensor with an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is described. Specifically, information from the humidity sensor is used to adjust a desired air-fuel ratio to reduce engine misfire while improving vehicle fuel economy. Further, such information is also used to adjust timing and/or lift of the valve in the engine cylinder. Finally, diagnostic routines are also described.

Abstract: A piston in a direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine is configured to reciprocate upward and downward within a combustion chamber along a reciprocating axis. The piston comprises an upper end which partly defines the combustion chamber; a bowl defined on the upper end of the piston, the bowl having an at least partially curved sidewall region extending upward from a bottom surface of the bowl, the bowl being configured so that fuel injected laterally into the bowl toward the curved sidewall region from an injection side of the bowl is directed along the curved sidewall region and upward toward a spark plug of the internal combustion engine, where the bowl has a converging contour in which a curvature of the converging contour is greater at a portion of the contour near the spark plug than a portion of the contour near the injection side of the bowl.